From behind dark glasses, and with tears flowing down his cheeks unchecked, Hardman sat watching his grandchildren frolic under the watchful eye of a woman who stood nearby. Gillian was petite for her age. Her compact body hadn’t developed the angles and curves that would soon usher her into womanhood, but she was agile and athletic. She was also bossy, issuing orders to her younger cousin with the confidence of a mother hen. Eager to please, Nia willingly obeyed.
The little girl was a happy child, smiling and laughing easily. When the girls grew weary of their game, Gillian took Nia’s hand and led her to the rocky crevices jutting out into the sea. For a while they searched for whatever treasures the tide brought in until they were summoned by the woman to leave. Hardman watched them pile into a car and drive away. It wasn’t until they were completely out of sight that he headed for the house.
Following Nedra Reasoner, Lamont turned onto the same side street but drove past the driveway where he saw her car was parked. Searching furtively for somewhere he could conceal his car and watch the driveway, he found a spot beneath a tree where he fashioned a parking space. As he settled in, he made a mental note that the blue car he had noticed previously was no longer in sight.
Having lost interest in Lamont Madison’s little caper, Ham looked for a safe place to make a u-turn. Preoccupied with that endeavor, he didn’t see the man who stepped out in front of his slow moving vehicle until it was nearly too late. Swiftly stepping on the brake, he brought the car to a screeching halt just in time to avoid hitting the pedestrian.
Throwing up his hands in frustration, Ham peered through the front windshield just as the man snatched off his sunglasses and glared at him.
“What the fu…?” Ham started to shout, but the rest of the words stuck in his throat. For a split second his entire body went numb. No! It can’t be!
Ham sat motionless, watching the man dodge the other cars and head down one of the side streets. There’s no way that could be who I think it is! No way!
The blast of horns from frustrated drivers behind him shook him out of his stupor. Making a sharp turn into the parking lot of a scenic overlook, he positioned his car in time for him to see the man he had nearly struck, walk down a residential street and then disappear.
There was no mistake. He remembered that face. That was him! Moody Lake was alive!
Ham sat trying to absorb the shock of what he just saw, and the enormity of the situation hit him like a rock. His mind raced as he tried to put it all together—Madison’s trip to the prison, Russ’ panic. It had nothing to do with the Feds trying to trap Russ. Madison knew that Moody wasn’t dead. The whole killing had been faked. How could Russ have been so stupid? Ham always thought of him as such a smart man.
What wasn’t clear was Madison’s game plan. How was he going to use the information he had about Moody? Was he trying to blackmail Russ? Was he going to tell the cartel Moody wasn’t dead? Who was he following? Was it Moody? Maybe, he was trying to pull a fast one and get money from Moody and from Russ.
Whatever the case, one thing was clear. Russ’ weakness for his mentor had caused him to go soft and ignore a cartel order. In doing so, he had jeopardized not only his own life, but Ham’s as well. He had vouched for Russ, swore that he saw Moody’s body. If the cartel discovered the truth, he was a dead man. Russ’ deceit had sealed both their fates.
Livid, Ham hit the steering wheel, again and again. Moody Lake is alive! Moody Lake is alive! But, he wouldn’t be much longer.
****
As soon as Thomas walked into the house, Nedra knew by the look on his face what had occurred.
“Come out on the patio with me,” he suggested. “We can talk.”
She followed him outside. They settled at a picnic table, located under a canopy of trees.
Nedra confirmed her suspicion. “You saw the girls, didn’t you?”
Thomas wasn’t coy. There was no use pretending that he didn’t know what she was talking about, even though his admission would confirm that he was the late Colton Cameron.
“I saw them.” He said, still awed by the act of fate that granted him that privilege. Taking a shaky breath, he reined in his emotions. “Did you know they would be on the beach?”
“My housekeeper called to tell me that they were headed there. But the beach runs for miles. What were the chances that you’d run into them.”
“Next to none,” he conceded. “But I’ve always been lucky.” His look turned intense. “The possibility of my seeing them bothered you, didn’t it?”
Nedra was honest. “Yes, because I know and you know there could never be any relationship between you.” She sighed. “I like you, Thomas. I wanted to spare you the pain of seeing them.”
“And you feel guilty that you brought me here.”
Nedra nodded. “That too. All of this is my fault. If I had just kept out of your business…”
“I probably would be dead. Plus, I never would have experienced the pleasure of seeing those two beautiful girls playing on the beach.”
His words made her feel better. Reaching across the table, she took his hand. “Who knows, maybe those prayers I’ve been saying for you worked.” She raised a triumphant brow.
Thomas chuckled. “Hope springs eternal.” He squeezed her hand. “You have nothing to feel guilty about, lovely lady. As the saying goes, it’s all good.”
CHAPTER 33
Sin shuffled one set of papers from his desk back to the inbox with the knowledge that nothing was getting done today. The phone call from Nedra still had him hot and bothered and his conversation with Ray had him thinking.
When his daughter and niece were kidnapped, James was the private investigator hired by the family to find the abductors. A substantial amount of money had been offered to anyone who could provide relevant information regarding the case. James had received an anonymous tip that proved to be crucial in finding the culprits, but no one had ever made a claim on the reward. The source still remained a mystery.
Sin called James. “I’ve got a question for you.”
“You want an update on what’s happening with the guy I have following your wife?”
“Yes, but right now I want to know something about that note that was hand delivered to your mailbox, way back when. Remember the one that gave you the tip about the kidnap suspect in Salinas?”
“How could I forget? What about it?”
“I don’t remember whether the note was handwritten or typed.”
“It was typed, and it provided me not only with the suspect’s name, but with his address.” James also recalled that not telling Sin about the tip when he first received it had caused friction between them. He didn’t bring that up.
“Didn’t you ever wonder how the person who gave you that information knew so much about the abductors?”
“If you’ll remember, not only did I question how the tipster knew so much, but the authorities did too. They thought that person might also be involved. The suspects didn’t confirm that and I’m certain they would have sung like birds to get their sentences reduced with plea bargains.”
Sin had no doubt about that, up to this day the abductors venomously denied having beaten their cohort, but nobody believed them. The only one who could clear them would never be able to talk or walk again. The possibility that Thomas Hardman had played a part in making that happen was appearing more and more likely.
James continued. “The biggest mystery to me is how the person who put the note in my mailbox knew that I was working on the case. That wasn’t public knowledge, and neither was where I lived.”
Sin wondered about that too. He would have to sort this entire situation out.
“Why are you asking me this after all this time?”
“I was just thinking. So much has come up over the past few weeks, I’m just remembering a lot of things.”
James was empathetic. “It’s all over now, man. It’s time to put the past behind you. I know with everything that’s happened,
it’s hard to do, but I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t understand why Nedra needs to be protected. My guy is on the case, but I really don’t know what to tell him to look for, which doesn’t help very much. Tell me the truth. Is this about him being a bodyguard, or something else?”
Sin had a strong suspicion what that “something else” could be.
“I don’t think that Nedra is cheating. You can relax, and you can also tell your man to stand down. He’s not needed anymore.”
“Okay, if you say so.” James sounded confused, but he didn’t question him. “You’re the client. I’ll call and give him the word.”
****
Night was approaching when Nedra Reasoner pulled out of the driveway of the house that Lamont was watching. He had noticed a man enter it earlier and another woman briefly appear at the front door.
He watched as the Reasoner car turned and headed back onto the main road. He was about to start the car and follow her when his cell phone rang.
On the other end, James informed him that the case was over. Lamont accepted the decision without question. Some assignments ended abruptly, others seemed to go on forever. It was all part of the job.
Distracted by the phone call, when he disconnected he didn’t notice the shadow stealthily approaching the back of his car. By the time his eye caught a glimpse of Ham, he had reached through the open window and put a strangle hold on Lamont’s neck. Taken by surprise, Lamont struggled valiantly, fighting back as hard as he could. But, overpowered by the man’s powerful grip, Lamont’s last thought before blackness settled over him was why he hadn’t seen this coming.
Making sure that he wasn’t being observed, Ham dragged Lamont’s limp body from the front seat and stuffed him into the trunk. He rolled up the windows and locked the car doors. His hope was that when the body was found stripped of a wrist watch and bill fold, the crime would be designated as a random robbery. Surveying the neighborhood, he figured that in an area like this the empty vehicle would be noticed. How soon, he couldn’t guess. He had to work quickly.
Taking care of Lamont Madison was simply the first step in his plan in making sure there were no loose ends. No one who knew that Lake was alive could live. Ham’s next order of business was to eliminate the major problem—Moody Lake.
Looking from one well appointed house to another, Ham wasn’t certain which one Moody occupied. There were numerous possibilities. Under cover of night, he would investigate each of them until he found his prey.
****
Sin called Nedra to tell her that he would be home late, letting her assume that he was still at work. He then headed to Pacific Grove.
As he turned into the driveway leading to the house he knew so well, Sin steeled himself to come face to face with Thomas Hardman. This time he was determined not to allow anger and resentment to rule his emotions. He would talk to Hardman man to man.
Choosing to knock on the door instead of ringing the door bell, he told himself that doing so would be less disruptive. It wasn’t late, but Hardman was ill. He didn’t want to disturb him if he retired early. Sin would never admit to himself that he was making excuses to delay seeing him.
The porch light came on. Someone looked through the ornate peephole in the carved wooden door. It opened slowly. Hardman appeared as stunned by Sin’s presence on his doorstep as the younger man appeared to be at seeing Hardman’s physical transformation. He looked nearly as fit as Sin.
Immediately, Sin grew suspicious. Was this some kind of joke his wife and Hardman was pulling? The last time he saw the man, he looked as though he was knocking on death’s door—one Sin had hoped would open.
Catching himself, Sin dismissed the thought as counterproductive. He was here for a purpose, and wouldn’t be distracted. The two men stood under the porch light sizing each other up. Sin spoke first.
“You look well.”
“I’m still kicking. Your wife has been praying for me.”
That explanation needed no further discussion. Sin took a calming breath.
“I’d like to talk to you about something.”
Opening the door, Hardman stepped aside. “Let’s go into the living room. The nurse is asleep in the back of the house. I don’t want to wake her.” He closed the door behind them and followed Sin, who appeared to know where he was going. Hardman waved him to a seat.
Sin gave the room a cursory glance. “The place hasn’t changed much,” he thought, unaware that he had spoken aloud until Hardman responded.
“So you’ve been here before.”
“Nedra and I lived here with the kids. This was our first home.”
“I didn’t know that.” Hardman was as surprised by that revelation as he was by this visit.
The small talk was over. Sin got straight to the point.
“I’ve been thinking about when and where I first bumped into you years ago. You were in California during the time my daughter and niece’s kidnapping case was in the news.”
“Is that a statement or a question?” Hardman asked wryly.
A muscle jumped in Sin’s face. This man made it easy to hate him.
“Please don’t insult me with your sarcastic remarks. We both know that you had reason to be more than interested in what was happening then.”
Hardman couldn’t resist another crack. “If you say so.”
“I do, and if I remember correctly, the car you drove when we bumped into each other had a Los Angeles license plate.” He wasn’t being completely honest about recalling that particular detail, but when Hardman didn’t deny it, Sin figured he hit pay dirt.
“What I want to know is was it you who beat the hell out of that suspect in L.A. to get information about the others involved? And did you give that information to the private investigator we hired?”
Hardman didn’t blink. “Why would I do something like that?”
“Because you’re a piece of shit!”
Both men jumped, startled by the sound of the unexpected voice in the room. They turned to see a man standing in the living room entrance. He was holding a gun.
“Who are you?” Hardman asked calmly. “How did you get in here?”
Ham’s lip curled into a cynical smile. “Maybe the next time you have a visitor you’ll lock your front door after you let him in. Oh, and maybe you’ll think twice about turning on the porch light too. I was looking for the house where you were staying, and seeing you in the front door led me right to it. Careless, Moody, very careless. I’m surprised at you. I guess being a dead man all these years made you lose your edge.”
Moody! Hardman didn’t react to the name, or the fact that this stranger knew he was supposed to be dead. His mind raced as he studied the intruder, trying to figure out where their paths might have crossed.
“If I was supposed to be dead, I would have left the country, not stay in the States!” Ham spat with contempt. “Damn! I thought you was smarter than that!”
Hardman played ignorant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Are you here to rob us?” Sin chimed in. “If so, I hate to disappoint you but I’ve got about fifty bucks on me.”
Ham moved further into the room. “Judging by that car you’re driving, that’s probably chum change for you. But, I’m not here for that.” He smirked at Hardman. “I’m here to kill him, something Russ should have done a long time ago.”
Russ! The name provided Hardman with a clue as to who this man might be—a cartel enforcer! Had Russ confessed to not having obeyed orders? If so, how had he been found here?
“If you don’t die, Moody, then I will.” Ham’s face darkened. “I understand loyalty, but by not killing you, Russ killed us both.” His words clarified Ham’s presence for both Hardman and Sin.
Hardman’s memory flashed back to years ago when he was being escorted to what was to be his gravesite. One man drove and two men sat beside him, Russ Ingram was one of them. He hadn’t paid much attention to the others, but logic told him that this must b
e one of those henchmen.
For Sin the situation was instantly clear when he heard Russ Ingram’s name. Hardman wasn’t hiding from the law. He was hiding from his brothers-in-crime. From what was being said, this intruder had been present when Moody Lake was supposedly killed. He must have verified Moody’s death. If that was true, and the cartel discovered the deception, Sin was looking at a dead man—his second in two weeks. This stranger standing before them had a lot to lose, which meant he was dangerous.
Ham shifted his attention to Sin. “I don’t know who you are, mister, but this is not your lucky day. You’ve seen and heard too much tonight, so you’ve got to die too.”
Sin maintained his composure. “I already figured that out, but I take it that you’re not going to do away with us here.” That was for certain. It was important that Hardman’s body not be found.
Hardman was aware of that as well, but that meant more time to figure a way out of this. He wasn’t worried about Sinclair. He seemed to be a resourceful man who could handle himself. His present concern was for Mrs. Spencer. He had to get this man out of the house quickly before she was awakened.
“Wherever you plan on taking us, let’s go and get this over with,” Hardman urged.
Taking the bait, Ham waved the gun toward the front door. “You’re right about that.
They led him out of the house. Ham turned the porch light out as they exited.
CHAPTER 34
Nedra was trying not to worry. Sin had called to tell her that he was going to be late coming home, but he hadn’t said what time he would arrive. It had been dark for hours and he wasn’t here. His last words to her hadn’t been ones of anger, giving her hope that things were better between them. This silence was unsettling. It wasn’t like him. If his plans changed he usually called to let her know, but she had to admit that over the past few weeks a lot had changed. Despite that, what could he possibly be doing that he couldn’t get back to her? She called his office and cell phone again.
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